Prayers and protests on the streets of Yemen

Tens of thousands of protesters against embattled Yemeni President Ali
Abdullah Saleh gathered in the streets of Yemen's capital Sanaa again on
Friday.

4:47PM BST 01 Apr 2011

Rallies attracted large numbers in Sanaa for midday prayers, as thousands of protesters again took to the streets in Yemen despite a new offer from the country’s president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to remain in office until the end of the year but only in a ceremonial role.

A preacher told protesters gathered near Sanaa University that President Saleh had ruled the country like a pharaoh.

Last week, Mr Saleh reportedly offered to step down by the end of 2011, a proposal snubbed by the opposition. But his ruling party said on Friday he should serve out his current term until the next scheduled presidential election in 2013.